Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Marine deck watch

Dent London Marine Deck Watch No. 28763

Partially verified

Cataloged as a rare English marine deck watch dated to 1862, this timepiece was produced by Dent, London under serial number 28763. It features an original silver pocket watch case measuring approximately 52 mm in diameter with an engine-turned back and gold hinge. According to the auction description, the watch houses a key-wound full-plate Ankerchronometer movement with a diamond endstone, an engraved balance bridge, and a large balance with gold screws. The enamel dial is signed 'DENT 61 STRAND LONDON 28763' with Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial.

Dial and case back views of Dent London deck watch No. 28763
Dial and case back views of Dent London deck watch No. 28763 — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Marine deck watch
Maker / attribution
Dent London
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4274
Source-reported date
1862
Country
England
Source-reported serial
28763

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Visual Characteristics and Dial Display

The timepiece features a white enamel dial bearing the inscription 'DENT / 61 STRAND LONDON / 28763' beneath the 12 o'clock position. The dial layout includes radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

The visible hands comprise spade-style gold-colored hour and minute hands alongside a blued steel subsidiary seconds hand. The reverse of the silver case displays engine turning surrounding an unengraved central circular cartouche.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial inscribed 'DENT / 61 STRAND LONDON / 28763' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Radial Roman numerals with an outer minute track and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Spade-style gold-colored hour and minute hands paired with a blued steel seconds hand.”
  • “Engine-turned silver case back featuring a central circular blank cartouche.”

Movement and Casing Specifications Reported by Source

The auction catalog description records the watch as housing a key-wound full-plate movement designated as an 'Ankerchronometer'. Specific reported internal components include an engraved balance bridge, a diamond endstone, blued steel screws, and a large balance fitted with gold screws.

According to the cataloguer, the movement main plate is inscribed 'Dent London No. 28763, Watchmaker to the Queen London'. The case is described as an original silver pocket watch case with a gold hinge, measuring approximately 52 mm in diameter and weighing approximately 136 grams.

Evidence for this section
  • “engraved balance bridge, main plate signed Dent London No. 28763, Watchmaker to the Queen London, blued steel screws, key winding”
  • “Ankerchronometer, diamond endstone, big balance with gold screws, full plate movement”
  • “original silver case, ca. Ø 52 mm, ca. 136 g, gold hinge”

Associated Accessories and Evidentiary Limitations

The auction text lists an accompanying 'original mahogany box with ivory plate, signed and numbered' measuring approximately 9.5 x 8 x 5 cm, noted as a three-part box with an 'original key'. However, neither the movement, the mahogany box, nor the key are visible in the provided auction photograph.

A condition note in the listing mentions a 'fine hairline' on the enamel dial, which aligns with faint marks visible in the dial's lower quadrant. The catalog title associates the piece with England and the year 1862, though case hallmarks or registration marks are not illustrated or recorded in the text to verify this date.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ca. 9.5 x 8 x 5 cm, original mahogany box with ivory plate, signed and numbered, original key, 3-part box”
  • “dial with fine hairline, in working order, rare”
  • “Pocket watch: rare and small marine deck watch Dent London No.28763, England 1862”

Open research questions

  • What date letter and casemaker hallmarks are stamped inside the silver case to substantiate the 1862 date assigned in the auction title?
  • What specific text and numbering are inscribed on the ivory plate of the three-part mahogany box?
  • Does direct inspection of the movement confirm a lever chronometer escapement versus another escapement type?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dent London Marine Deck Watch No. 28763
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement SigningDent London No. 28763, Watchmaker to the Queen London“main plate signed Dent London No. 28763, Watchmaker to the Queen London”
Case SpecificationOriginal silver case, ca. Ø 52 mm, ca. 136 g“original silver case, ca. Ø 52 mm, ca. 136 g, gold hinge, engine turned”
Escapement and Movement TypeAnkerchronometer full plate movement“Ankerchronometer, diamond endstone, big balance with gold screws, full plate movement”
Box Description3-part mahogany box with ivory plate, ca. 9.5 x 8 x 5 cm“Ca. 9.5 x 8 x 5 cm, original mahogany box with ivory plate, signed and numbered, original key, 3-part box”
Seller Working Order StatementDescribed by auctioneer as in working order“in working order, rare”
Movement Screw FinishBlued steel screws reported“blued steel screws, key winding”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial inscribed 'DENT / 61 STRAND LONDON / 28763' below 12 o'clock.
  • Radial Roman numerals with an outer minute track and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Spade-style gold-colored hour and minute hands paired with a blued steel seconds hand.
  • Engine-turned silver case back featuring a central circular blank cartouche.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement, mahogany box, and key described in the catalog are not shown in the provided photograph.
  • Auction text describes a fine hairline crack on the dial, which is faintly noticeable in the lower quadrant.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Pocket watch: rare and small marine deck watch Dent London No.28763, England 1862 (NO LIVE FEE)

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5e2765af92

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other marine deck watch records